Method for enhanced harq-ack feedback in wireless communications

ABSTRACT

Some embodiments include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for enhanced Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ)-ACK in a fifth generation (5G) wireless communications system. A user equipment (UE) can receive, during a HARQ-ACK window, a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) transmission or a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) transmission corresponding to a SPS PDSCH release. The UE can generate a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ)-ACK information bit corresponding to the reception. The UE can be configured with an offset value, k, and a length, l, of the HARQ-ACK window associated with an uplink transmission slot n, of a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) transmission, and determine a starting slot of the HARQ-ACK window as n−k. When a corresponding valid uplink transmission slot is not available, the UE can transmit the HARQ-ACK information bit in the uplink transmission slot n of the PUCCH transmission.

BACKGROUND Field

The described embodiments relate generally to fifth generation (5G)wireless communication, including Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request(HARQ)-ACK signals.

Related Art

5G wireless communications systems support Enhanced Industrial Internetof Things (IoT) and ultra-reliable and low latency communications(URLLC) between a 5G Node B (gNB) and a communications device.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments in this disclosure provide a system, apparatus, method,and computer program product for enhanced Hybrid Automatic RepeatRequest (HARQ)-ACK feedback to address dropped HARQ-ACK feedbackcorresponding to Downlink (DL) Semi-Persistent Scheduling (SPS)operations in a fifth generation (5G) wireless communications system.The embodiments satisfy the stringent latency requirements for EnhancedIndustrial Internet of Things (IoT) and ultra-reliable and low latencycommunications (URLLC) traffic between a a 5G Node B (gNB) and acommunications device (e.g, a User Equipment (UE).)

A corresponding valid Uplink (UL) transmission slot may not be availablefor all HARQ-ACK feedback corresponding to DL SPS signals as well as SPSrelease signals. Some embodiments include a UE being configured tosupport enhanced HARQ-ACK feedback corresponding to i) SPS PhysicalDownlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) transmissions and/or ii) PhysicalDownlink Control Channel (PDCCH) transmissions for SPS PDSCH releasereceived within a HARQ-ACK window. The enhanced HARQ-ACK feedback can betransmitted in an PUCCH transmission slot associated with the HARQ-ACKwindow. Some embodiments include window-based HARQ-ACK feedback relativeto a PUCCH transmission where an explicit window length is provided byhigher layer signaling, or where the window length is implicitlydetermined based on an UL transmission preparation time of the UE. Someembodiments include a window-based HARQ-ACK feedback relative to a SPSPDSCH transmission symbol/slot or PDCCH transmission symbol/slot for SPSPDSCH release.

Some embodiments include a DCI format including a HARQ-ACK WindowIndicator Information Element (IE) that triggers a request for a Type-4HARQ-ACK codebook for a dropped HARQ-ACK information bit(s) due tounavailable UL resources for PUCCH transmission. In some embodiments theWindow Indicator IE supports: uniform HARQ-ACK window sizes for CarrierAggregation (CA), and/or different HARQ-ACK window lengths according toComponent Carrier (CC) groups. Some embodiments include a schedulingDownlink Control Information (DCI) format of a dynamic PDSCHtransmission for HARQ-ACK retransmission.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form partof the specification, illustrate the presented disclosure and, togetherwith the description, further serve to explain the principles of thedisclosure and enable a person of skill in the relevant art(s) to makeand use the disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system for enhanced Hybrid AutomaticRepeat Request (HARQ)-ACK feedback, in accordance with some embodimentsof the disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an example wireless system forenhanced HARQ-ACK feedback, according to some embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 3A illustrates an example of window-based HARQ-ACK feedbackrelative to a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) transmission,according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 3B illustrates another example of window-based HARQ-ACK feedbackrelative to a PUCCH transmission, according to some embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of window-based HARQ-ACK feedback relativeto a Semi-Persistent Scheduling (SPS) Physical Downlink Shared Channel(PDSCH) transmission symbol/slot or Physical Downlink Control Channel(PDCCH) transmission symbol/slot for SPS PDSCH release, according tosome embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of window-based HARQ-ACK feedback withoverlapped SPS PDSCH transmission occasions for consecutive HARQ-ACKwindows, according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a HARQ-ACK bit retransmission includinga HARQ-ACK Window Indicator Information Element (IE), according to someembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a HARQ-ACK bit retransmission includinga HARQ-ACK Window Indicator IE with uniform HARQ-ACK window sizes forCarrier Aggregation (CA), according to some embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a HARQ-ACK bit retransmission includinga HARQ-ACK Window Indicator IE with different HARQ-ACK window sizesaccording to Component Carrier (CC) groups, according to someembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates examples of a scheduling Downlink Control Information(DCI) format of a dynamic PDSCH transmission for HARQ-ACKretransmission, according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of HARQ-ACK retransmission including ascheduling DCI format of a dynamic PDSCH transmission, according to someembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example method for a user equipment (UE)supporting enhanced HARQ-ACK feedback, according to some embodiments ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example method for a 5G Node B (gNB) supportingenhanced HARQ-ACK feedback, according to some embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example computer system for implementing someembodiments or portion(s) thereof.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of HARQ-ACK feedback drops correspondingto Downlink (DL) SPS PDSCH transmissions.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of HARQ-ACK window determination,according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

The presented disclosure is described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. In the drawings, generally, like reference numbers indicateidentical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, generally, theleft-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in whichthe reference number first appears.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A fifth generation (5G) wireless communications system supportsultra-reliable and low latency communications (RLLCs) between a serving5G Node B (gNB) and a User Equipment (UE). When Downlink (DL)Semi-Persistent Scheduling (SPS) operations are implemented, however,Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ)-ACK feedback may be dropped.Throughout the disclosure the ACK can represent an acknowledgement (ACK)or a negative acknowledgement (NACK). This can occur, for example, dueto a mismatch between SPS periodicity and semi-static Time DivisionDuplexing (TDD) Uplink (UL)/DL configurations. FIG. 14 illustratesexample 1400 of HARQ-ACK feedback drops corresponding to DL SPS PhysicalDownlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) transmissions. Example 1400 illustratesa semi-static TDD UL/DL configuration where 6 slots are shown: three DLslots including SPS, an UL slot, and two DL slots. In example 1400, K1represents a timing and/or offset indicator from a PDSCH slot to an ULslot for HARQ-ACK feedback, and in example 1400, K1=3 slots. K1 1430shows a HARQ-ACK feedback ACK/NACK (A/N) 1440 occurring 3 slots (e.g.,K1=3 slots) after the first DL slot with SPS 1405. K1 1410 a indicates aproblem because 3 slots after DL slot with SPS 1410 is a DL slot, not anUL slot, and the corresponding HARQ-ACK feedback is dropped noted by the“X”. Likewise, K1 1420 a illustrates another HARQ-ACK feedback droppedbecause three slots after DL slot with SPS 1420 is a DL slot. Thus, thesingle K1 value provided by activation DL Control Information (DCI)format or by Radio Resource Control (RRC) command does not point to avalid UL slot for all SPS PDSCH transmissions.

Some embodiments in this disclosure provide apparatus, method, andcomputer program product for enhanced HARQ-ACK feedback to address thedropped HARQ-ACK feedback corresponding to DL SPS signals as well as SPSrelease signals. The embodiments satisfy the stringent latencyrequirements for Enhanced Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) andultra-reliable and low latency communications (URLLC) traffic between agNB and a communications device.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 100 for enhanced HARQ-ACK feedback,in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. System 100includes gNB 120 communicating with UE 110. For example, gNB 120 and UE110 can exchange 5G communications via a semi-static TDD UL/DLconfiguration of UL and DL slots. In some embodiments, HARQ-ACK feedbackcorresponding to DL SPS signals as well as SPS release signals aretransmitted from UE 110 to gNB 120.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an example wireless system 200 forenhanced HARQ-ACK feedback, according to some embodiments of thedisclosure. As a convenience and not a limitation, system 200, may bedescribed with elements of FIG. 1 . System 200 can be UE 110, or servinggNB 120 of FIG. 1 . For example, a gNB can be a 5G base station. A UEmay be a computing electronic device such as a smart phone, cellularphone, and for simplicity purposes—may include other computing devicesincluding but not limited to laptops, desktops, tablets, personalassistants, routers, monitors, televisions, printers, and appliances.System 200 may include processor 210, transceiver 220, communicationinfrastructure 230, memory 235, and antenna 225 that together performoperations enabling enhanced HARQ-ACK feedback. Transceiver 220transmits and receives 5G wireless communications signals via antenna225. Communication infrastructure 230 may be a bus. Memory 235 mayinclude random access memory (RAM) and/or cache, and may include controllogic (e.g., computer software), computer instructions, and/or data.Processor 210, upon execution of the computer instructions, can beconfigured to perform the functionality described herein for enablingenhanced HARQ-ACK feedback. Alternatively, processor 210 can include itsown internal memory (not shown), and/or be “hard-wired” (as in astate-machine) configured to perform the functionality described hereinfor enhanced HARQ-ACK feedback. Antenna 225 coupled to transceiver 220,may include one or more antennas that may be the same or different typesto enable wireless communication over a wireless network.

FIG. 3A illustrates example 300 of window-based HARQ-ACK feedbackrelative to a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) transmission,according to some embodiments of the disclosure. As a convenience andnot a limitation, FIGS. 3A and 3B may be described with elements ofFIGS. 1 and 2 . As described above, a corresponding valid ULtransmission slot may not be available for all HARQ-ACK feedbackcorresponding to DL SPS signals as well as SPS release signals. Someembodiments include UE 110 being configured so that HARQ-ACK feedbackcorresponding to i) SPS PDSCH transmissions or ii) Physical DownlinkControl Channel (PDCCH) transmissions for SPS PDSCH release receivedwithin a HARQ-ACK window, are transmitted in an PUCCH transmission slotassociated with the HARQ-ACK window. Further, the HARQ-ACK ACK windowbegins at the start slot or start symbol of the SPS PDSCH transmissionsand/or PDCCH transmissions for SPS PDSCH release received within theHARQ-ACK window.

In some embodiments, UE 110 can be configured with an offset value, k,via higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC command) or via an activation DCIformat (e.g., activate an SPS PDSCH transmission.) UE 110 can beconfigured via higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC command) with length,l, of a HARQ-ACK window associated with the UL transmission slot, n, ofa PUCCH transmission. To determine the start slot of the HARQ-ACK windowassociated with the UL transmission slot n, UE 110 determines n−k. TheHARQ-ACK window length, l, is known. Thus, UE 110 can determine the SPSPDSCH transmissions or PDCCH transmissions for SPS PDSCH releasereceived within the HARQ-ACK window associated with UL transmission slotn, and generate corresponding HARQ-ACK information bits (e.g., HARQ-ACKfeedback). In some embodiments, UE 110 can multiplex the correspondingHARQ-ACK information bits into a HARQ-ACK codebook, and transmit theHARQ-ACK codebook in the PUCCH transmission (e.g., PUCCH resource) of ULtransmission slot n.

Example 300 includes DL transmission slots 310, 315, 320, and ULtransmission slot 325. The offset value 350 is k=3 slots and theHARQ-ACK window 345 has a length l=2 slots. UL transmission slot n, 325includes PUCCH transmission 340. UE 110 can determine start slot 305 ofHARQ-ACK window 345 by determining n−k. Based on the HARQ-ACK windowlength, l, and offset value 350, UE 110 can determine that SPS PDSCHtransmission 330 a in DL transmission slot 310 and SPS PDSCHtransmission 330 b in DL transmission slot 315 are within the HARQ-ACKwindow 345 and are associated with PUCCH transmission 340 of ULtransmission slot n, 325. UE 110 can generate a first HARQ-ACKinformation bit corresponding to SPS PDSCH transmission 330 a and asecond HARQ-ACK information bit corresponding to SPS PDSCH transmission330 b. UE 110 can transmit the first and second HARQ-ACK informationbits illustrated by 335 a and 335 b in PUCCH transmission 340 of ULtransmission slot, n, 325. In some embodiments, UE 110 multiplexes thefirst and second HARQ-ACK information bits into a HARQ-ACK codebook, andtransmits the HARQ-ACK codebook in PUCCH transmission 340 of ULtransmission slot n 325.

FIG. 3B illustrates another example of window-based HARQ-ACK feedbackrelative to a PUCCH transmission, according to some embodiments of thedisclosure. As described above, a corresponding valid UL transmissionslot may not be available for all HARQ-ACK feedback corresponding to DLSPS signals as well as SPS release signals. Some embodiments include UE110 being configured so that HARQ-ACK feedback corresponding to i) SPSPDSCH transmissions or ii) PDCCH transmissions for SPS PDSCH releasereceived within a HARQ-ACK window, are transmitted in a PUCCHtransmission slot associated with the HARQ-ACK window. Further, theHARQ-ACK window begins at the start slot or start symbol of the SPSPDSCH transmissions and/or PDCCH transmissions for SPS PDSCH releasereceived within a HARQ-ACK window.

In some embodiments, UE 110 can be configured with an offset value, k,via higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC command) or via an activation DCIformat (e.g., activate an SPS PDSCH transmission.) In some embodiments,the starting slot can be determined by n−k, as with example 300, but thelength, l, of a HARQ-ACK window is implicitly determined based on an ULtransmission preparation time, A. For example, A can equal T_(proc,2)where T_(proc,2) is an UL transmission preparation time defined inSection 6.4 of 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.214 for PUSCH/PUCCHtransmission. The length of the HARQ-ACK window determines, for example,for which SPS PDSCH transmissions and/or PDCCH transmissions for SPSPDSCH release the UE will generate corresponding HARQ-ACK informationbits that are subsequently transmitted in an associated UL transmissionslot, n. For example, UE 110 can determine an ending symbol, L, of theHARQ-ACK window, where L is a last DL symbol that is earlier than symboli-Δ, where i is a first symbol of the PUCCH transmission of ULtransmission slot n, and where Δ is an UL transmission preparation timeof the UE. Based at least on the ending symbol, L, UE 110 can determine,a length, l, of the HARQ-ACK window. Thus, UE 110 can determine the SPSPDSCH transmissions or PDCCH transmissions for SPS PDSCH releasereceived within the HARQ-ACK window associated with UL transmission slotn and generate corresponding HARQ-ACK information bits (e.g., HARQ-ACKfeedback). In some embodiments, UE 110 can multiplex the correspondingHARQ-ACK information bits into a HARQ-ACK codebook, and transmit theHARQ-ACK codebook in the PUCCH transmission (e.g., PUCCH resource) of ULtransmission slot n.

Example 360 includes DL transmission slots 310, 315, 320, and ULtransmission slot 325. UL transmission slot n, 325 includes PUCCHtransmission 390. UE 110 can determine starting slot 365 of HARQ-ACKwindow 380 as n−k and then determine the length of a length, l, ofHARQ-ACK window 380. UE 110 can determine an ending symbol, L 383, ofHARQ-ACK window 380, where L 383 is a last DL symbol that is earlierthan symbol i-Δ 387, where i 395 is a first symbol of PUCCH transmission390 of UL transmission slot, n, 325 and where Δ385 is an UL transmissionpreparation time of the UE. Based at least on the ending symbol, L, UE110 can determine, a length, l, of HARQ-ACK window 380. Knowing thelength of HARQ-ACK window 380, UE 110 can determine that SPS PDSCHtransmissions 370 a and 370 b occur during HARQ-ACK window 380associated with the UL transmission slot n, 325. UE 110 can generate afirst HARQ-ACK information bit corresponding to SPS PDSCH transmission370 a and a second HARQ-ACK information bit corresponding to SPS PDSCHtransmission 370 b. UE 110 can transmit the first and second HARQ-ACKinformation bits illustrated by 375 a and 375 b, respectively, in PUCCHtransmission 390 of UL transmission slot n, 325. In some embodiments, UE110 multiplexes the first and second HARQ-ACK information bits into aHARQ-ACK codebook, and transmits the HARQ-ACK codebook in PUCCHtransmission 390 of UL transmission slot n 325.

In some embodiments, UE 110 determines a set of X occasions for SPSPDSCH transmissions or PDCCH transmissions for SPS PDSCH release forwhich UE 110 can transmit corresponding HARQ-ACK information bits in aPUCCH transmission in UL transmission slot n 325. The determination canbe based on configured parameters as discussed above. In someembodiments, UE 110 can exclude occasions of SPS PDSCH transmissionsand/or SPS PDSCH release that are associated with earlier PUCCH occasionin i, where i is less than or equal to n, (e.g., an earlier slot ‘i’)and UL slots signaled by higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC command)and/or DCI format 2_0. The exclusion may minimize the HARQ-ACK codebooksize and reduce PUCCH signaling overhead.

In some embodiments, the HARQ-ACK window can be determined based on theDL SPS PDSCH periodicity and semi-static slot format configurationprovided by tdd-UL-DL-Configuration Common,tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationDedicated. In some embodiments, the slot formatprovided by DCI Format 2_0 may be used for HARQ-ACK windowdetermination. In some embodiments, the HARQ-ACK window for SPS PDSCHcan determined such that the HARQ-ACK feedback latency is minimized. Forexample, the first available UL slot with a valid PUCCH resource after aSPS PDSCH(s) transmission can be used for HARQ-ACK feedback of the SPSPDSCH(s) transmission.

FIG. 15 illustrates example 1500 of HARQ-ACK window determination,according to some embodiments of the disclosure. As a convenience andnot a limitation, FIG. 15 may be described with elements of otherfigures in the disclosure. The slot formats can be provided bytdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon, tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationDedicated, and DCIFormat_0 as ‘DDDUUDDUU’ where ‘D’ denotes a DL slot and ‘U’ denotes anUL slot. The SPS periodicity can be configured as one slot based on alatency requirement. For example, the HARQ-ACK information (e.g.,ACK/NACK (A/N) 1540) for SPS PDSCH transmissions 1510, 1520, and 1530can be reported in the first available UL slot based on the UL/DLconfiguration ‘DDDUUDDUU’. Similarly, the HARQ-ACK information A/N 1570for SPS PDSCH 1550 and 1560 can be reported in the first available ULslot based on the UL/DL configuration ‘DDDUUDDUU’.

FIG. 4 illustrates example 400 of window-based HARQ-ACK feedbackrelative to a SPS PDSCH transmission symbol/slot or PDCCH transmissionsymbol/slot for SPS PDSCH release, according to some embodiments of thedisclosure. As a convenience and not a limitation, FIG. 4 may bedescribed with elements of FIGS. 1, 2, 3A and 3B. As described above, acorresponding valid UL transmission slot may not be available for allHARQ-ACK feedback corresponding to DL SPS signals as well as SPS releasesignals. In example 400, the HARQ-ACK window length may start from anend symbol or end slot, M of a SPS PDSCH transmission or PDCCHtransmission for SPS PDSCH release. This is in contrast to examples 300of FIG. 3A and example 360 of FIG. 3B where a SPS PDSCH transmissionsymbol/slot or PDCCH transmission symbol/slot for SPS PDSCH release arereceived within the HARQ-ACK window, and the HARQ-ACK window begins atthe start of the SPS PDSCH transmission symbol/slot or PDCCHtransmission symbol/slot for SPS PDSCH release received.

In some embodiments, UE 110 can be configured with an offset value, k,via higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC command) or via an activation DCIformat (e.g., activate an SPS PDSCH transmission.) UE 110 can beconfigured via higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC command) with length,l, of a HARQ-ACK window associated with the UL transmission slot n, of aPUCCH transmission. The offset value, k, (e.g., a single offset value,k) indicates the starting slot or starting sub-slot in a slot within aHARQ-window relative to the end symbol/slot, M, of a SPS PDSCHtransmission or PDCCH transmission for SPS PDSCH release. UE 110 cangenerate a corresponding HARQ-ACK information bit and transmit theHARQ-ACK information bit in the earliest PUCCH or PUSCH transmissionoccasion in the associated HARQ-ACK window that starts from slot M+k.

Example 400 includes DL transmission slots 410, 415, 420, and ULtransmission slot 425. The offset values 450 a and 450 b is illustratedas k=1 slot and the HARQ-ACK window 460 a and 460 b have a length l=2slots. UL transmission slot n, 425 includes PUCCH transmission 440. Theoffset value 450 a, indicates the starting slot or starting sub-slot ina slot within HARQ-window 460 a relative to the end symbol/slot of M 431of SPS PDSCH transmission 430 a. The offset value 450 b, indicates thestarting slot or starting sub-slot in a slot within HARQ-window 460 brelative to the end symbol/slot M 432 of SPS PDSCH transmission 430 b.UE 110 can generate a first HARQ-ACK information bit corresponding toSPS PDSCH transmission 430 a and transmit via 435 a, the first HARQ-ACKinformation bit in the earliest PUCCH or PUSCH transmission occasion(e.g., PUCCH transmission 440) in the associated HARQ-ACK window(HARQ-ACK window 460 a) that starts from slot M 431+offset 450 a. UE 110can generate a second HARQ-ACK information bit corresponding to SPSPDSCH transmission 430 b, and transmit via 435 b, the second HARQ-ACKinformation bit in the earliest PUCCH or PUSCH transmission occasion(e.g., PUCCH transmission 440) in the associated HARQ-ACK window(HARQ-ACK window 460 b) that starts from slot M 432+offset 450 b. Insome embodiments, UE 110 multiplexes the first and second HARQ-ACKinformation bits into a HARQ-ACK codebook, and transmits the HARQ-ACKcodebook in PUCCH transmission 440 of UL transmission slot n 425.

In some embodiments, UE 110 may be provided a table via RRC command suchas Table 1. DCI-based SPS PDSCH Activation: Offset and Window Lengths,where each row indicates a separate offset value, k, and HARQ-ACK windowlength, l. One of these rows can be signaled by a DL SPS activation DCIformat (e.g., Type-2 SPS PDSCH) on a per SPS configuration basis. Forexample, gNB 120 may take into account different latency requirements ofthe DL SPS configuration and transmit a different index value in a DLSPS activation DCI format to UE 110. UE 110 can use the correspondingoffset value, k and window length, l, accordingly to determinecorresponding HARQ-ACK information bits. UE 110 can transmit thecorresponding HARQ-ACK information bits in a PUCCH transmission of an ULtransmission slot n.

TABLE 1 DCI-based SPS PDSCH Activation: Offset and Window Lengths IndexOffset Value, k Window length, l 0 K1 W1 1 K2 W2 2 K3 W3 . . . . . . . ..

In some embodiments, UE 110 may be configured with a set of offsetvalues, k, and the smallest k value with corresponding slot n+k is theUL used for HARQ-ACK feedback. In some embodiments, UE 110 can cyclethrough values of k.

FIG. 5 illustrates example 500 of window-based HARQ-ACK feedback withoverlapped SPS PDSCH transmission occasions for consecutive HARQ-ACKwindows, according to some embodiments of the disclosure. As aconvenience and not a limitation, FIG. 5 may be described with elementsof figures in the disclosure. As described above, a corresponding validUL transmission slot may not be available for all HARQ-ACK feedbackcorresponding to DL SPS signals as well as SPS release signals. Example500 can be similar to example 300 of FIG. 3A assuming HARQ-ACK windowlength set to 5 slots. HARQ-ACK codebook construction can be associatedwith SPS PDSCH occasions. Example 500 includes DL slots 510, 515, 520,525, 530, 535, 545, and UL slots 540 and 550. As illustrated, there areno overlaps between HARQ-ACK window 555 a and any earlier HARQ-ACKwindows (not shown), thus the HARQ-ACK codebook size is determined basedon the HARQ-ACK window 555 a length (e.g., HARQ-ACK codebook size equalsto 5 for PUCCH transmission in slot 540 (e.g., slot n.) UE 110 cangenerate HARQ-ACK information bits corresponding to slots 510, 515, 520,525, and 530, and can multiplex the corresponding HARQ-ACK informationbits shown as 510 a, 515 a, 520 a, 525 a, and 530 a that are transmittedin a PUCCH transmission in UL slot 540 (e.g., slot n.) HARQ-ACK window555 a overlaps with HARQ-ACK window 555 b that also has a length equalto 5 slots. The following slots overlap both HARQ-ACK window 555 a and555 b at slots 520 (e.g., slot n−4), 525 (e.g., slot n−3), and 530(e.g., slot n−2). Since the HARQ-ACK information bits for those slotsare already included in the HARQ-ACK codebook associated with HARQ-ACKwindow 555 a, UE 110 can exclude these overlapped SPS PDSCH occasions(e.g., shown as 560 a, 560 b, and 560 c) and UL slot n within HARQ-ACKwindows 555 b for HARQ-ACK codebook determination. For example, oneHARQ-ACK bit is generated for SPS PDSCH transmission in slot 535 that istransmitted using a PUCCH resource (not shown) in UL slot 550 (e.g.,slot n+2.)

FIG. 6 illustrates example 600 of a HARQ-ACK bit retransmissionincluding a HARQ-ACK Window Indicator Information Element (IE),according to some embodiments of the disclosure. As a convenience andnot a limitation, FIG. 6 may also be described with elements of otherfigures in the disclosure. As described above, a corresponding valid ULtransmission slot may not be available for all HARQ-ACK feedbackcorresponding to DL SPS signals as well as SPS release signals, (e.g.,UL resource for PUCCH transmission) and consequently, one or moreHARQ-ACK information bits may be dropped. In some embodiments, a DCIformat may provide a request for a Type-4 HARQ-ACK information for adropped HARQ-ACK information bit due to unavailable UL resources forPUCCH transmission. For example, a DCI format 0_1/1_1 that schedulesPUSCH/PDSCH transmission may be enhanced to trigger a one-shot Type-4HARQ-ACK codebook by adding a Window Indicator IE. UE 110 can provideHARQ-ACK information bits in response to a DCI format that includes theHARQ-ACK Window Indicator IE for SPS PDSCH transmissions within anassociated HARQ-ACK window. The ending symbol of the HARQ-ACK window isS symbols before the first symbol of the DCI format that includes theWindow Indicator IE, and the PUCCH transmission is after N symbols fromthe last symbol of the DCI format. In some embodiments, different Nvalues may be defined corresponding to different numerologies of DCIformats.

Example 600 provides an example of SPS PDSCH transmissions 625 a, 625 b,and 625 c within HARQ-ACK window 610 where the original HARQ-ACKinformation bits were dropped (e.g., due to unavailable UL resourcesbased on the TDD UL/DL configuration.) DCI format 620 includes a WindowIndicator IE that triggers a one-shot Type-4 HARQ-ACK codebook toretransmit the HARQ-ACK information bits that were dropped. HARQ-ACKwindow 610 is determined by UE 110 in response to DCI format 620 and thevalues of S and N parameters. For example, UE 110 can provide HARQ-ACKinformation bits corresponding to SPS PDSCH transmissions 625 a, 625 b,and 625 c within HARQ-ACK window 610 associated with DCI format 620.HARQ-ACK window 610 has a window length, L 615, in symbols. The endingsymbol of the HARQ-ACK window 610 is S 640 symbols before the firstsymbol of DCI format 620 that includes the Window Indicator IE, andPUCCH transmission 630 is after N 650 symbols from the last symbol ofDCI format 620. In some embodiments, S 640 and N 650 are signaled aspart of a UE capability or may be hard-encoded according to aspecification.

FIG. 7 illustrates example 700 of a HARQ-ACK bit retransmissionincluding a HARQ-ACK Window Indicator IE with uniform HARQ-ACK windowsizes for Carrier Aggregation (CA), according to some embodiments of thedisclosure. As a convenience and not a limitation, FIG. 7 may also bedescribed with elements of other figures in the disclosure. As describedabove, a corresponding valid UL transmission slot may not be availablefor all HARQ-ACK feedback corresponding to DL SPS signals as well as SPSrelease signals, (e.g., UL resource for PUCCH transmission) andconsequently, one or more HARQ-ACK information bits may be dropped.Example 700 illustrates a single bit PUCCH Group Indicator, g 740, usedto indicate whether one or two PUCCH groups are configured. Example 700illustrates HARQ-ACK Window 710 with PUCCH Group 1 720 and PUCCH Group 2730. PUCCH Group 1 720 includes Component Carriers (CCs) 720 a, 720 b,through 720 i, and PUCCH Group 2 730 includes CCs 730 a through 730 n.For example, when a DCI format is received that includes PUCCH GroupIndicator, g 740, where g 740 is set to ‘0’, UE 110 generates HARQ-ACKinformation bits for CCs in PUCCH Group 1 720. When a DCI format isreceived that includes PUCCH Group Indicator, g 740, where g 740 is setto ‘1’, UE 110 generates HARQ-ACK information bits for CCs in both PUCCHGroup 1 720 and PUCCH Group 2 730. Example 700 illustrates a Type-4HARQ-ACK codebook triggering for two PUCCH groups where g 740 is equalto ‘1’. HARQ-ACK information bits corresponding to PUCCH Group 1 720 aretransmitted shown as 725 and HARQ-ACK information bits corresponding toPUCCH Group 2 730 are transmitted shown as 735 via PUCCH transmission750.

In some embodiments two bits are used for the PUCCH Group Indicator,<g(1), g(2)> for one-to-one triggering of a HARQ-ACK feedback for CCs intwo PUCCH groups. For example, when g(i) is equal to 1, the request forHARQ-ACK information bits can be generated for SPS PDSCH or PDCCH forSPS PDSCH release in PUCCH group i.

In some embodiments, UE 110 may be provided a set of values for HARQ-ACKwindow lengths. For example, gNB 120 can transmit a set of values forHARQ-ACK window lengths to UE 110 via: i) a Media Access Control (MAC)Control Element (CE) (see FIG. 8 ); ii) Dynamic signaling using ascheduling DCI format with HARQ-ACK Window Indicator IE; and/or iii)transmitting a table via higher layer signaling and adding a SPSHARQ-ACK feedback request field to a scheduling DCI format. Each ofthese approaches are described below.

FIG. 8 illustrates example 800 of a HARQ-ACK bit retransmissionincluding a HARQ-ACK Window Indicator IE with different HARQ-ACK windowlengths according to Component Carrier (CC) groups, according to someembodiments of the disclosure. As a convenience and not a limitation,FIG. 8 may also be described with elements of other figures in thedisclosure. As described above, a corresponding valid UL transmissionslot may not be available for all HARQ-ACK feedback corresponding to DLSPS signals as well as SPS release signals, (e.g., UL resource for PUCCHtransmission) and consequently, one or more HARQ-ACK information bitsmay be dropped. In some embodiments, gNB 120 can transmit a MAC CE to UE110 to activate a configured HARQ-ACK window length for Type-4 HARQ-ACKcodebook transmission for SPS PDSCH transmissions (e.g., correspondingCCs of an SCell). Activating CC group (e.g., CCs of an SCell) HARQ-ACKwindow lengths via MAC CE can be faster than sending via RRC command UE110 activates the window length for the corresponding SPS PDSCHtransmissions, generates HARQ-ACK information bits, multiplexes theHARQ-ACK information bits into a HARQ-ACK codebook, and transmits theHARQ-ACK codebook to gNB 120.

Example 800 illustrates a MAC CE of a fixed length (e.g., 1 octet) thatcan be identified by a MAC subhead with Logical Channel ID (LCID) (e.g.,the LCID can be hard-encoded in a 3GPP specification.) The MAC CEincludes a number of W-fields and R-fields. A W_(i) field indicates theactivation/deactivation status of the configured window length valuewith index ‘i’. The W_(i) field set to ‘1’ indicates that a SecondaryCell (SCell) that has a window index ‘i’ is activated. The W_(i) fieldset to 0 indicates that a SCell with window index ‘i’ is deactivated.Example 800 includes Result (R) field 810, and W fields 815 a, 815 b,through 815 g that correspond to different HARQ-ACK window lengths. Forexample, Window field 815 a corresponds to an SCell with window index‘i’ and a first length. When UE 110 receives example 800 MAC CE withWindow field 815 a set to ‘1’, the SCell with window index ‘i’ will beactivated. When Window field 815 a is set to ‘0’, the SCell with windowindex ‘i’ will be deactivated.

In some embodiments the HARQ-ACK window length is dynamically signaledby gNB 120 to UE 110 in a detected scheduling DCI format with HARQ-ACKWindow Indicator IE. The bit width for this IE (e.g., field) can bedetermined as [log₂(l)] where l is the number of lengths configured byhigher layer signaling (e.g., RRC command) As an example, when l equals4, the window length is 2 bits (e.g., [log2(4)=2]. Thus, 4 differentwindow sizes corresponding to a Window Indicator IE bit width of 2-bitsin the DCI format are possible. Referring to example 600 of FIG. 6 , ifgNB 120 determines that HARQ-ACK information bits corresponding to SPSPDSCH transmission 625 a, 625 b, and 625 c have not been received, gNB120 can dynamically configure HARQ-ACK window 610 length, L 615, to bewide by indicating the two bits in the Window Indicator IE of the DCIformat to equal ‘11’. If gNB 120 determines that only a HARQ-ACKinformation bit corresponding to SPS PDSCH transmission 625 c has notbeen received, gNB 120 can dynamically configure HARQ-ACK window 610length, L 615 to be short by indicating the two bits of the WindowIndicator IE in the DCI format to be equal to ‘01’. When UE 110 receivesthe Window Indicator IE bits, UE 110 determines the corresponding windowsize associated with the values of the 2 bits of the Window IndicatorIF. and determines the HARQ-ACK information bits accordingly. In someembodiments, UE 110 can receive, via a Window Indicator IE of a firstDCI format, a HARQ-ACK window length, l, corresponding to the one ormore SPS PDSCH transmissions received, where a value of the HARQ-ACKwindow length, l, can be different in a second Window Indicator IE of asecond DCI format.

In some embodiments, gNB 120 can transmit a table to UE 110 via higherlayer signaling (e.g., Table 2. SPS HARQ-ACK Request Field) thatincludes sets of CCs and with corresponding window lengths, andsubsequently transmit a scheduling DCI format with a SPS HARQ-ACKfeedback request field to indicate for which set of CCs a HARQ-ACKinformation bit is requested. For example, CCs configured for UE 110 canbe divided into a number of CC groups by higher layer signaling (e.g.,RRC command) Different HARQ-ACK window lengths can be configured foreach CC group (e.g., depending on traffic characteristics). In someembodiments a SPS HARQ-ACK request field can be added into a DCI formatwhere each value of the SPS HARQ-ACK request field can be used totrigger a set of {CC group, window length} pair(s) corresponding to thehigher layer set of CC groups configured. Table 2. SPS HARQ-ACK RequestField illustrates different values of SPS HARQ-ACK request field and thedifferent sets of CCs and corresponding window lengths that can beactivated. Accordingly, gNB 120 can transmit different values of SPSHARQ-ACK request field to inform UE 110 to perform Type-4 HARQ-ACKcodebook construction for SPS PDSCH transmissions for the correspondingCC groups within the indicated HARQ-ACK window lengths.

TABLE 2 SPS HARQ-ACK Request Field Value of SPS HARQ-ACK request fieldDescription 00 Type-4 HARQ-ACK report is triggered for a 1^(st) set of{CC group, window length} 01 Type-4 HARQ-ACK report is triggered for a2^(nd) set of {CC group, window length} 10 Type-4 HARQ-ACK report istriggered for a 3^(rd) set of {CC group, window length} 11 Type-4HARQ-ACK report is triggered for a 4^(th) set of {CC group, windowlength}

FIG. 9 illustrates example 900 and example 950 of a scheduling DownlinkControl Information (DCI) format of a dynamic PDSCH transmission forHARQ-ACK retransmission, according to some embodiments of thedisclosure. As a convenience and not a limitation, FIG. 9 may also bedescribed with elements of other figures in the disclosure. As describedabove, a corresponding valid UL transmission slot may not be availablefor all HARQ-ACK feedback corresponding to DL SPS signals as well as SPSrelease signals, (e.g., UL resource for PUCCH transmission) andconsequently, one or more HARQ-ACK information bits may be dropped. Forexample, one or more HARQ-ACK information bits from PUCCH group 1 720and/or PUCCH group 2 730 of example 700 of FIG. 7 may be dropped. ThegNB 120 may utilize example 900 and/or example 950 of schedulingDownlink Control Information (DCI) formats of a dynamic PDSCHtransmission for HARQ-ACK retransmission of those dropped HARQ-ACKinformation bits.

Example 900 illustrates a Type-1 HARQ-ACK codebook configured fordynamic

PDSCH transmission for dropped SPS HARQ-ACK codebook retransmissions.Example 900 can correspond to a variation of example 700 of FIG. 7 wherePUCCH Group Indicator, g 740, is set to ‘0’ and UE 110 generatesHARQ-ACK information bits for CCs in PUCCH Group 1 720. When theHARQ-ACK information bits for CCs in PUCCH Group 1 720 are missing, gNB120 can transmit example 900 to UE 110. Example 900 includes HARQ-ACKretransmission triggering field 910, Total DL Assignment Indicator (DAI)field 920, Information fields 930, and cyclic redundancy check (CRC)field 940. Information fields 930 can be defined in Section 7.3.1 of3GPP TS 38.212.

Example 950 illustrates a Type-2 HARQ-ACK codebook configured fordynamic PDSCH transmission for dropped SPS HARQ-ACK codebookretransmissions. Example 900 can correspond to of example 700 of FIG. 7where PUCCH Group Indicator, g 740, is set to ‘1’ and UE 110 generatesHARQ-ACK information bits for CCs in both PUCCH Group 1 720 and PUCCHGroup 2 730. When the HARQ-ACK information bits for CCs in PUCCH Group 1720 and PUCCH Group 2 730 are missing, gNB 120 can transmit example 950to UE 110. Example 950 includes HARQ-ACK retransmission triggering field910, Total DAI #2 field 960, Total DAI #1 field 965, Information fields970, and CRC field 940. For example, Total DAI #2 field 960 cancorrespond to PUCCH group 1 720 of example 700 and Total DAI #1 field965 can pertain to PUCCH Group 2 730 of example 700. Information fields970 can be defined in Section 7.3.1 of 3GPP TS 38.212.

HARQ-ACK retransmission triggering field 910 allows gNB 120 to indicatewhether or not to trigger a HARQ-ACK retransmission for SPS PDSCHtransmission in conjunction with HARQ-ACK bits for dynamically scheduledPDSCH transmissions. The HARQ-ACK information bits can be indexed in apredefined order (e.g., ascending or descending order) of occasions ofSPS PDSCH transmissions or PDCCH transmissions for SPS PDSCH release inthe time domain within the window signaled by Total DAI field (e.g.,Total DAI field 920, Total DAI #2 field 960, Total DAI #1 field 965)independent of whether or not UE 110 has transmitted the HARQ-ACKinformation bits for the corresponding SPS PDSCH transmissions using anearlier PUCCH transmission occasion.

There are at least two options for the meaning of a Total DAI field(e.g., Total DAI field 920, Total DAI #2 field 960, Total DAI #1 field965) that are described below and further illustrated in FIG. 10 . In afirst option, a Total DAI field can denote the accumulated number ofHARQ-ACK information bits that are to be retransmitted. For example, theTotal DAI field can indicate a number of deferred HARQ-ACK informationbits (e.g., retransmitted HARQ-ACK information bits) for SPS PDSCHtransmissions or PDCCH transmissions for SPS PDSCH release. UE 110 canuse the PUCCH transmission occasion to carry based on the PDSCHprocessing timeline. In a second option, a Total DAI field can denotethe accumulated number of HARQ-ACK codebooks to be retransmitted. Forexample, the Total DAI field can indicate a number of deferred HARQ-ACKcodebooks (e.g., retransmitted HARQ-ACK codebooks) for SPS PDSCHtransmissions or PDCCH transmissions for SPS PDSCH release. UE 110 canuse the PUCCH transmission occasion to carry based on the PDSCHprocessing timeline.

FIG. 10 illustrates example 1000 of HARQ-ACK retransmission including ascheduling DCI format of a dynamic PDSCH transmission, according to someembodiments of the disclosure. As a convenience and not a limitation,FIG. 10 may also be described with elements of other figures in thedisclosure. Example 1000 illustrates an accumulative HARQ-ACK codebookconstruction to accommodate two deferred HARQ-ACK information bits 1025and 1055 (e.g., retransmitted HARQ-ACK information bits) for SPS PDSCHtransmissions 1010, 1020, and 1030. The shown by the large “X” indicatesfailed HARQ-ACK feedbacks (e.g., due to resources being configured as DLslots by a TDD UL/DL configuration.) In some embodiments, UE 110 can beconfigured with an offset value, k, via higher layer signaling (e.g.,RRC command) or via an activation DCI format (e.g., to activate an SPSPDSCH transmission.)

In some embodiments, gNB 120 transmits a HARQ-ACK retransmissionutilizing a scheduling DCI format 1080 of a dynamic PDSCH transmission(e.g., DCI format example 900 or 950) according to option 1 or option 2where HARQ-ACK retransmission triggering field 910 is triggered (e.g.,set to ‘1’.) Based on example 900 or 950 received, UE 110 can schedulethe dynamic PDSCH transmission with a HARQ-ACK information bits shown as1070 on PUCCH transmission 1060 based on the offset value, k. Inaddition, UE 110 generates HARQ-ACK information bits (e.g., HARQ-ACKinformation bits previously dropped for SPS PDSCH transmissions 1010,1020, and 1030 for retransmission). UE 110 can append the generatedHARQ-ACK information bits shown as 1025 and 1055, to the end of aHARQ-ACK codebook associated with dynamic PDSCH transmission (e.g.,append HARQ-ACK information bits 1025 and 1055 after 1070.)

When option 1 is selected, gNB 120 transmits example 900 or 950 to UE110 where a Total DAI field (e.g., Total DAI field 920, Total DAI #2field 960, and/or Total DAI #1 field 965) may be set to a value of ‘3’representing three HARQ-ACK bits for SPS PDSCH transmissions 1010, 1020,and 1030. When option 2 is selected, gNB 120 transmits example 900 or950 to UE 110 where a Total DAI field (e.g., Total DAI field 920, TotalDAI #2 field 960, and/or Total DAI #1 field 965) may be set to a valueof ‘2’ representing two cancelled PUCCH occasions 1040 and 1050 or 2 SPSHARQ-ACK codebooks.

FIG. 11 illustrates example method 1100 for a UE supporting enhancedHARQ-ACK feedback, according to some embodiments of the disclosure. As aconvenience and not a limitation, FIG. 11 may also be described withelements of other figures in the disclosure. For example, method 1100may be performed by a UE such as UE 110 of FIG. 1 , system 200 of FIG. 2, or system 1300 of FIG. 13 . As described above, a corresponding validUL transmission slot may not be available for all HARQ-ACK feedbackcorresponding to DL SPS signals as well as SPS release signals, (e.g.,UL resource for PUCCH transmission) and consequently, one or moreHARQ-ACK information bits may be dropped.

At 1110, UE 110 can receive a SPS PDSCH transmission or a PDCCHtransmission corresponding to a SPS PDSCH release.

At 1115, UE 110 can generate a first HARQ-ACK information bitcorresponding to the reception.

At 1120, where a corresponding valid Uplink (UL) transmission slot isnot available, UE 110 can transmit the first HARQ-ACK information bit inan UL transmission slot, n, of a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH)transmission.

At 1125, UE 110 can determine a starting slot of the HARQ-ACK window asn−k, where the reception occurs during the HARQ-ACK window, where the UEis configured with an offset value, k, and a length, l, of a HARQ-ACKwindow associated with the UL transmission slot n.

At 1130, UE 110 can determine a length, l, of a HARQ-ACK windowassociated with the UL transmission slot n, where the reception occursduring the HARQ-ACK window, where the length, l, is based on an endingsymbol, L, of the HARQ-ACK window, where L is a last DL symbol that isearlier than symbol i-Δ, where i is a first symbol of the PUCCHtransmission of UL transmission slot n, where Δ is an UL transmissionpreparation time of the UE. UE 110 can determine a starting slot of theHARQ-ACK window as n−k.

At 1135, where the UE is configured with a time offset value, k, and alength, l, of a HARQ-ACK window associated with the UL transmissionslot, n, the UL transmission slot n, occurs during the HARQ-ACK window.The offset value, k, indicates a time between an end symbol, M, of theSPS PDSCH transmission or of the PDCCH transmission corresponding to theSPS PDSCH release, and a start of the HARQ-ACK window.

In some embodiments, the transmission of the first HARQ-ACK informationbit in the UL transmission slot n, is an earliest PUCCH transmission oran earliest Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) transmission in theHARQ-ACK window, and wherein the HARQ-ACK window begins at a slot afterM+k. In some embodiments, UE 110 can receive a table via RRC signaling,wherein each row comprises an index and a corresponding combination ofan offset value, k, value and a length, l, value, and receive an SPS DCIformat on a per SPS configuration basis, including a first indexcorresponding to a first combination of k value and l value. Each row ofthe table can correspond to a different latency requirement.

At 1140, UE 110 can receive a DCI format comprising a Window IndicatorIE that triggers a one-shot HARQ-ACK feedback for one or more second SPSPDSCH transmissions received within a second HARQ-ACK window. The secondHARQ-ACK window corresponds to the DCI format, where original HARQ-ACKinformation bits corresponding to the one or more second SPS PDSCHtransmissions were dropped. The the Window Indicator IE includes: an Svalue and an N value, where the S value indicates a number of symbolsbetween an ending symbol of the HARQ-ACK window and a first symbol ofthe DCI format, and the N value indicates a number of symbols between alast symbol of the DCI format and a first symbol of a second PUCCHtransmission of a second UL transmission slot. UE 110 can transmitsecond HARQ-ACK information bits corresponding to the one or more secondSPS PDSCH transmissions in the second PUCCH transmission of the secondUL transmission slot.

In some embodiments, UE is configured with a HARQ-ACK window length, L,in symbols, via higher layer signaling comprising Radio Resource Control(RRC) signaling, where the HARQ-ACK window length, L, is applied to:activated Component Carriers (CCs) corresponding to the one or moresecond SPS PDSCH transmissions, and where the UE is configured with onePUCCH group, the DCI format comprises a single bit PUCCH Group Indicator(g) whose value equals ‘0’. UE 110 can generate HARQ-ACK informationbits for the CCs in the PUCCH group.

In some embodiments, UE 110 is configured with a HARQ-ACK window length,L, in symbols, via higher layer signaling comprising Radio ResourceControl (RRC) signaling, where the HARQ-ACK window length, L, is appliedto: activated Component Carriers (CCs) corresponding to the one or moresecond SPS PDSCH transmissions, and UE 110 is configured with two PUCCHgroups for Carrier Aggregation (CA). The DCI format includes a singlebit PUCCH Group Indicator (g) whose value equals ‘1’, and UE 110 cangenerate HARQ-ACK information bits for the CCs in the two PUCCH groups.

In some embodiments, UE 110 is configured with a HARQ-ACK window length,L, in symbols, via higher layer signaling comprising Radio ResourceControl (RRC) signaling, where the HARQ-ACK window length, L, is appliedto: activated Component Carriers (CCs) with SPS PDSCH transmissionconfigurations, corresponding to the one or more second SPS PDSCHtransmissions received. UE 110 can be configured with two PUCCH groupsof the activated CCs for Carrier Aggregation (CA), the received DCIformat comprises a two bit PUCCH Group Indicator (PGI), <g(1), g(2)>,wherein g(1) represents CC group 1, and g(2) represents CC group 2. Wheng(1) equals ‘1’ UE 110 can generate HARQ-ACK information bits includingthe first HARQ-ACK information bit, for the CCs in group 1. When g(2)equals ‘1’ UE 110 can generate HARQ-ACK information bits for the CCs ingroup 2.

In some embodiments, UE 110 can receive a MAC CE including an activeHARQ-ACK window length, corresponding to a W field, wherein index, i,indicates a particular HARQ-ACK window length corresponding to the oneor more second SPS PDSCH transmissions received. UE 110 can alsoreceive, via the Window Indicator IE, a HARQ-ACK window length, l,corresponding to the one or more second SPS PDSCH transmissionsreceived, where a value of the HARQ-ACK window length, l, can bedifferent in a second Window Indicator IE of a second DCI format.

In some embodiments, the DCI format includes a first SPS HARQ-ACKfeedback request field corresponding to a set of a first CC group and afirst HARQ-ACK window length, UE 110 can perform a first HARQ-ACKcodebook construction for the one or more SPS PDSCH transmissionsreceived corresponding to the set of the first CC group over the firstHARQ-ACK window length.

In some embodiments, subsequent to the transmission of the firstHARQ-ACK information bit, UE 110 can receive a scheduling DCI format ofa dynamic PDSCH transmission comprising a total DAI corresponding to aCC group, and generate HARQ-ACK information bits corresponding to the CCgroup. UE 110 can transmit a total number of the HARQ-ACK informationbits appended to a HARQ-ACK codebook associated with the dynamic PDSCHtransmission.

At 1145, UE 110 can receive a scheduling DCI format of a dynamic PDSCHtransmission comprising a total DAI corresponding to a CC group, andtransmit a total number of the generated corresponding HARQ-ACKinformation bits appended to a HARQ-ACK codebook associated with thedynamic PDSCH transmission.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example method for a gNB supporting enhancedHARQ-ACK feedback, according to some embodiments of the disclosure. As aconvenience and not a limitation, FIG. 12 may also be described withelements of other figures in the disclosure. For example, method 1200may be performed by a gNB such as gNB 120 of FIG. 1 , system 200 of FIG.2 , or system 1300 of FIG. 13 . As described above, a correspondingvalid UL transmission slot may not be available for all HARQ-ACKfeedback corresponding to DL SPS signals as well as SPS release signals,(e.g., UL resource for PUCCH transmission) and consequently, one or moreHARQ-ACK information bits may be dropped.

At 1210, gNB 120 can transmit a SPS PDSCH transmission or a PDCCHtransmission corresponding to a SPS PDSCH release.

At 1220, gNB 120 can transmit a DCI format comprising a Window IndicatorIE that triggers a one-shot HARQ-ACK feedback for the SPS PDSCHtransmission or the PDCCH transmission corresponding to the SPS PDSCHrelease transmitted within a HARQ-ACK window.

At 1230, gNB can receive a first HARQ-ACK information bit in the ULtransmission slot n, corresponding to the SPS PDSCH transmission or thePDCCH transmission corresponding to the SPS PDSCH release.

Various embodiments can be implemented, for example, using one or morewell-known computer systems, such as computer system 1300 shown in FIG.13 . Computer system 1300 can be any well-known computer capable ofperforming the functions described herein. For example, and withoutlimitation, system 200 of FIG. 2 , method 1100 of FIG. 11 , and method1200 of FIG. 12 (and/or other apparatuses and/or components shown in thefigures) may be implemented using computer system 1300, or portionsthereof.

Computer system 1300 includes one or more processors (also calledcentral processing units, or CPUs), such as a processor 1304. Processor1304 is connected to a communication infrastructure 1306 that can be abus. One or more processors 1304 may each be a graphics processing unit(GPU). In an embodiment, a GPU is a processor that is a specializedelectronic circuit designed to process mathematically intensiveapplications. The GPU may have a parallel structure that is efficientfor parallel processing of large blocks of data, such as mathematicallyintensive data common to computer graphics applications, images, videos,etc.

Computer system 1300 also includes user input/output device(s) 1303,such as monitors, keyboards, pointing devices, etc., that communicatewith communication infrastructure 1306 through user input/outputinterface(s) 1302. Computer system 1300 also includes a main or primarymemory 1308, such as random access memory (RAM). Main memory 1308 mayinclude one or more levels of cache. Main memory 1308 has stored thereincontrol logic (e.g., computer software) and/or data.

Computer system 1300 may also include one or more secondary storagedevices or memory 1310. Secondary memory 1310 may include, for example,a hard disk drive 1312 and/or a removable storage device or drive 1314.Removable storage drive 1314 may be a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tapedrive, a compact disk drive, an optical storage device, tape backupdevice, and/or any other storage device/drive.

Removable storage drive 1314 may interact with a removable storage unit1318.

Removable storage unit 1318 includes a computer usable or readablestorage device having stored thereon computer software (control logic)and/or data. Removable storage unit 1318 may be a floppy disk, magnetictape, compact disk, DVD, optical storage disk, and/ any other computerdata storage device. Removable storage drive 1314 reads from and/orwrites to removable storage unit 1318 in a well-known manner.

According to some embodiments, secondary memory 1310 may include othermeans, instrumentalities or other approaches for allowing computerprograms and/or other instructions and/or data to be accessed bycomputer system 1300. Such means, instrumentalities or other approachesmay include, for example, a removable storage unit 1322 and an interface1320. Examples of the removable storage unit 1322 and the interface 1320may include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as thatfound in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROMor PROM) and associated socket, a memory stick and USB port, a memorycard and associated memory card slot, and/or any other removable storageunit and associated interface.

Computer system 1300 may further include a communication or networkinterface 1324. Communication interface 1324 enables computer system1300 to communicate and interact with any combination of remote devices,remote networks, remote entities, etc. (individually and collectivelyreferenced by reference number 1328). For example, communicationinterface 1324 may allow computer system 1300 to communicate with remotedevices 1328 over communications path 1326, which may be wired and/orwireless, and which may include any combination of LANs, WANs, theInternet, etc. Control logic and/or data may be transmitted to and fromcomputer system 1300 via communication path 1326.

The operations in the preceding embodiments can be implemented in a widevariety of configurations and architectures. Therefore, some or all ofthe operations in the preceding embodiments may be performed inhardware, in software or both. In some embodiments, a tangible,non-transitory apparatus or article of manufacture includes a tangible,non-transitory computer useable or readable medium having control logic(software) stored thereon is also referred to herein as a computerprogram product or program storage device. This includes, but is notlimited to, computer system 1300, main memory 1308, secondary memory1310 and removable storage units 1318 and 1322, as well as tangiblearticles of manufacture embodying any combination of the foregoing. Suchcontrol logic, when executed by one or more data processing devices(such as computer system 1300), causes such data processing devices tooperate as described herein.

Based on the teachings contained in this disclosure, it will be apparentto persons skilled in the relevant art(s) how to make and useembodiments of the disclosure using data processing devices, computersystems and/or computer architectures other than that shown in FIG. 13 .In particular, embodiments may operate with software, hardware, and/oroperating system implementations other than those described herein.

It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and notthe Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpretthe claims. The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or morebut not all exemplary embodiments of the disclosure as contemplated bythe inventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit the disclosure orthe appended claims in any way.

While the disclosure has been described herein with reference toexemplary embodiments for exemplary fields and applications, it shouldbe understood that the disclosure is not limited thereto. Otherembodiments and modifications thereto are possible, and are within thescope and spirit of the disclosure. For example, and without limitingthe generality of this paragraph, embodiments are not limited to thesoftware, hardware, firmware, and/or entities illustrated in the figuresand/or described herein. Further, embodiments (whether or not explicitlydescribed herein) have significant utility to fields and applicationsbeyond the examples described herein.

Embodiments have been described herein with the aid of functionalbuilding blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functionsand relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional buildingblocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of thedescription. Alternate boundaries can be defined as long as thespecified functions and relationships (or equivalents thereof) areappropriately performed. In addition, alternative embodiments mayperform functional blocks, steps, operations, methods, etc. usingorderings different from those described herein.

References herein to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an exampleembodiment,” or similar phrases, indicate that the embodiment describedmay include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, butevery embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature,structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarilyreferring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature,structure or characteristic is described in connection with anembodiment, it would be within the knowledge of persons skilled in therelevant art(s) to incorporate such feature, structure, orcharacteristic into other embodiments whether or not explicitlymentioned or described herein.

The breadth and scope of the disclosure should not be limited by any ofthe above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only inaccordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

As described above, aspects of the present technology may include thegathering and use of data available from various sources, e.g., toimprove or enhance functionality. The present disclosure contemplatesthat in some instances, this gathered data may include personalinformation data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact orlocate a specific person. Such personal information data can includedemographic data, location-based data, telephone numbers, emailaddresses, Twitter ID's, home addresses, data or records relating to auser's health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements,medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or anyother identifying or personal information. The present disclosurerecognizes that the use of such personal information data, in thepresent technology, may be used to the benefit of users.

The present disclosure contemplates that the entities responsible forthe collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use ofsuch personal information data will comply with well-established privacypolicies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities shouldimplement and consistently use privacy policies and practices that aregenerally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmentalrequirements for maintaining personal information data private andsecure. Such policies should be easily accessible by users, and shouldbe updated as the collection and/or use of data changes. Personalinformation from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonableuses of the entity and not shared or sold outside of those legitimateuses. Further, such collection/sharing should only occur after receivingthe informed consent of the users. Additionally, such entities shouldconsider taking any needed steps for safeguarding and securing access tosuch personal information data and ensuring that others with access tothe personal information data adhere to their privacy policies andprocedures. Further, such entities can subject themselves to evaluationby third parties to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacypolicies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should beadapted for the particular types of personal information data beingcollected and/or accessed and adapted to applicable laws and standards,including jurisdiction-specific considerations. For instance, in the US,collection of, or access to, certain health data may be governed byfederal and/or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability andAccountability Act (HIPAA); whereas health data in other countries maybe subject to other regulations and policies and should be handledaccordingly. Hence different privacy practices should be maintained fordifferent personal data types in each country.

Despite the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplatesembodiments in which users selectively block the use of, or access to,personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplatesthat hardware and/or software elements can be provided to prevent orblock access to such personal information data. For example, the presenttechnology may be configurable to allow users to selectively “opt in” or“opt out” of participation in the collection of personal informationdata, e.g., during registration for services or anytime thereafter. Inaddition to providing “opt in” and “opt out” options, the presentdisclosure contemplates providing notifications relating to the accessor use of personal information. For instance, a user may be notifiedupon downloading an app that their personal information data will beaccessed and then reminded again just before personal information datais accessed by the app.

Moreover, it is the intent of the present disclosure that personalinformation data should be managed and handled in a way to minimizerisks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risk can beminimized by limiting the collection of data and deleting data once itis no longer needed. In addition, and when applicable, including incertain health related applications, data de-identification can be usedto protect a user's privacy. De-identification may be facilitated, whenappropriate, by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth,etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of data stored (e.g.,collecting location data a city level rather than at an address level),controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data across users),and/or other methods,

Therefore, although the present disclosure may broadly cover use ofpersonal information data to implement one or more various disclosedembodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that the variousembodiments can also be implemented without the need for accessing suchpersonal information data. That is, the various embodiments of thepresent technology are not rendered inoperable due to the lack of all ora portion of such personal information data.

1. A user equipment (UE), comprising: a transceiver configured tooperate in a wireless network; a processor coupled to the transceiver,configured to: receive a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) PhysicalDownlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) transmission or a Physical DownlinkControl Channel (PDCCH) transmission corresponding to a SPS PDSCHrelease; generate a first Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ)-ACKinformation bit corresponding to the reception, wherein a valid Uplink(UL) transmission slot corresponding to the reception is not available;and transmit, using the transceiver, the first HARQ-ACK information bitin a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) transmission of an ULtransmission slot n.
 2. The UE of claim 1, wherein the UE is configuredwith an offset value, k, and a length, l, of a HARQ-ACK windowassociated with the UL transmission slot n, the processor is furtherconfigured to: determine a starting slot of the HARQ-ACK window as n−k,wherein the reception occurs during the HARQ-ACK window.
 3. The UE ofclaim 2, wherein the UE is configured with the offset value, k, viahigher layer signaling comprising Radio Resource Control (RRC) signalingor via an activation Downlink Control Information (DCI) format thatactivates the SPS PDSCH transmission.
 4. The UE of claim 1, wherein theUE is configured with an offset value, k, the processor is furtherconfigured to: determine a length, l, of a HARQ-ACK window associatedwith the UL transmission slot n, wherein the reception occurs during theHARQ-ACK window, wherein the length, l, is based on an ending symbol, L,of the HARQ-ACK window, where L is a last DL symbol that is earlier thansymbol i-Δ, where i is a first symbol of the PUCCH transmission of theUL transmission slot n, where Δ is an UL transmission preparation timeof the UE; and determine a starting slot of the HARQ-ACK window as n−k.5. The UE of claim 1, wherein the UE is configured with an offset value,k, and a length, l, of a HARQ-ACK window associated with the ULtransmission slot n, wherein the offset value, k, indicates a timebetween an end symbol, M, of the SPS PDSCH transmission or of the PDCCHtransmission corresponding to the SPS PDSCH release, and a start of theHARQ-ACK window, and wherein the UL transmission slot n, occurs duringthe HARQ-ACK window.
 6. The UE of claim 5, wherein the UE is configuredwith k and l via higher layer signaling comprising different RadioResource Control (RRC) signaling parameters.
 7. The UE of claim 5,wherein the transmission of the first HARQ-ACK information bit in the ULtransmission slot n, is an earliest PUCCH transmission or an earliestPhysical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) transmission in the HARQ-ACKwindow, and wherein the HARQ-ACK window begins at a slot after M+k. 8.The UE of claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured to:receive a table via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, wherein eachrow comprises an index and a corresponding combination of the offsetvalue, k, and the length, l; and receive an SPS activation DownlinkControl Information (DCI) format on a per SPS configuration basis,comprising a first index corresponding to a first combination of k valueand l value.
 9. The UE of claim 8, wherein each row of the tablecorresponds to a different latency requirement.
 10. The UE of claim 1,wherein the processor is further configured to: receive a DownlinkControl Information (DCI) format comprising a Window IndicatorInformation Element (IE); based on the DCI format, trigger a one-shotHARQ-ACK feedback for one or more second SPS PDSCH transmissionsreceived within a second HARQ-ACK window corresponding to the DCIformat, wherein original HARQ-ACK information bits corresponding to theone or more second SPS PDSCH transmissions were dropped, wherein theWindow Indicator IE comprises: an S value and an N value, wherein the Svalue indicates a number of symbols between an ending symbol of theHARQ-ACK window and a first symbol of the DCI format, and wherein the Nvalue indicates a number of symbols between a last symbol of the DCIformat and a first symbol of a second PUCCH transmission of a second ULtransmission slot; and transmit one or more second HARQ-ACK informationbits corresponding to the one or more second SPS PDSCH transmissions inthe second PUCCH transmission of the second UL transmission slot. 11.The UE of claim 10, wherein UE is configured with a HARQ-ACK windowlength, L, in symbols, via higher layer signaling comprising RadioResource Control (RRC) signaling, wherein the HARQ-ACK window length, L,is applied to: activated Component Carriers (CCs) corresponding to theone or more second SPS PDSCH transmissions, and wherein the UE isconfigured with one PUCCH group, the DCI format comprises a single bitPUCCH Group Indicator (g) whose value equals ‘0’, wherein the processoris configured to: generate HARQ-ACK information bits for the CCs in theone PUCCH group.
 12. The UE of claim 10, wherein UE is configured with aHARQ-ACK window length, L, in symbols, via higher layer signalingcomprising Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, wherein the HARQ-ACKwindow length, L, is applied to: activated Component Carriers (CCs)corresponding to the one or more second SPS PDSCH transmissions, andwherein the UE is configured with two PUCCH groups for CarrierAggregation (CA), the DCI format comprises a single bit PUCCH GroupIndicator (g), wherein g equals ‘1’, the processor is configured to:generate HARQ-ACK information bits for the CCs in the two PUCCH groups;and wherein the UE is configured with a PUCCH group and g equals ‘0’,the processor is configured to: generate HARQ-ACK information bits forCCs in the PUCCH group.
 13. The UE of claim 10, wherein UE is configuredwith a HARQ-ACK window length, L, in symbols, via higher layer signalingcomprising Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, wherein the HARQ-ACKwindow length, L, is applied to: activated Component Carriers (CCs) withSPS PDSCH transmission configurations, corresponding to the one or moresecond SPS PDSCH transmissions received, and wherein the UE isconfigured with two PUCCH groups of the activated CCs for CarrierAggregation (CA), the received DCI format comprises a two bit PUCCHGroup Indicator (PGI), <g(1), g(2)>, wherein g(1) represents CC group 1,and g(2) represents CC group 2, wherein g(1) equals ‘1’ the processor isconfigured to: generate HARQ-ACK information bits including the firstHARQ-ACK information bit, for the CCs in group 1; and wherein g(2)equals ‘1’ the processor is configured to: generate HARQ-ACK informationbits for the CCs in group
 2. 14. The UE of claim 10, wherein theprocessor is further configured to: receive a Medium Access Control(MAC) Control Element (CE) comprising an active HARQ-ACK window length,corresponding to a W_(i) field, wherein index, i, indicates a particularHARQ-ACK window length corresponding to the one or more second SPS PDSCHtransmissions received.
 15. The UE of claim 10, wherein the processor isfurther configured to: receive, via the Window Indicator IE, a HARQ-ACKwindow length, l, corresponding to the one or more second SPS PDSCHtransmissions received, wherein a value of the HARQ-ACK window length,l, can be different in a second Window Indicator IE of a second DCIformat.
 16. The UE of claim 10, wherein the DCI format comprises a firstSPS HARQ-ACK feedback request field corresponding to a set ofcombinations of a first Carrier Component (CC) group and a firstHARQ-ACK window length, the processor is further configured to: performa first HARQ-ACK codebook construction for the one or more SPS PDSCHtransmissions received corresponding to the set of the first CC groupover the first HARQ-ACK window length.
 17. The UE of claim 1, subsequentto the transmission of the first HARQ-ACK information bit, the processoris configured to: receive a scheduling DCI format of a dynamic PDSCHtransmission on a first Component Carrier (CC) comprising a totalDownlink (DL) Assignment Indicator (DAI) corresponding to a second CCgroup, wherein the first CC is not included in the second CC group; andgenerate a first HARQ-ACK codebook corresponding to one or more SPSPDSCH transmissions received on CCs in the second CC group; append thefirst HARQ-ACK codebook to a second HARQ-ACK codebook corresponding tothe dynamic PDSCH transmission; and transmit a concatenated HARQ-ACKcodebook comprising the first and the second HARQ-ACK codebooks on aPUCCH transmission corresponding to the scheduling DCI format of thedynamic PDSCH transmission.
 18. A base station (BS), comprising: atransceiver configured to operate in a wireless network; a processorcoupled to the transceiver, configured to: transmit, using thetransceiver, a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) Physical Downlink SharedChannel (PDSCH) transmission or a Physical Downlink Control Channel(PDCCH) transmission corresponding to a SPS PDSCH release; transmit,using the transceiver, a Downlink Control Information (DCI) formatcomprising a Window Indicator Information Element (IE) that triggers aone-shot Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ)-ACK feedback for the SPSPDSCH transmission or the PDCCH transmission corresponding to the SPSPDSCH release, wherein the SPS PDSCH transmission or the PDCCHtransmission corresponding to the SPS PDSCH release is transmittedwithin a HARQ-ACK window, and wherein the Window Indicator IE comprises:an S value and an N value, wherein the S value indicates a number ofsymbols between an ending symbol of the HARQ-ACK window and a firstsymbol of the DCI format, and wherein the N value indicates a number ofsymbols between a last symbol of the DCI format and a first symbol of aPhysical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) transmission of an ULtransmission slot n; and receive a first HARQ-ACK information bit in theUL transmission slot n, corresponding to the SPS PDSCH transmission orthe PDCCH transmission corresponding to the SPS PDSCH release.
 19. Amethod for a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving asemi-persistent scheduling (SPS) Physical Downlink Shared Channel(PDSCH) transmission or a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH)transmission corresponding to a SPS PDSCH release; generating a firstHybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ)-ACK information bit correspondingto the reception, wherein a corresponding valid Uplink (UL) transmissionslot is not available; receive a Downlink Control Information (DCI)format comprising a Window Indicator Information Element (IE) thattriggers a one-shot HARQ-ACK feedback for the SPS PDSCH transmission orthe PDCCH transmission corresponding to the SPS PDSCH release, whereinthe Window Indicator IE comprises: an S value and an N value, whereinthe S value indicates a number of symbols between an ending symbol of aHARQ-ACK window and a first symbol of the DCI format, and wherein the Nvalue indicates a number of symbols between a last symbol of the DCIformat and a first symbol of the PUCCH transmission of the ULtransmission slot n; and generating a second HARQ-ACK information bitcorresponding to the Window Indicator IE; and transmitting the secondHARQ-ACK information bit in an UL transmission slot n of a PhysicalUplink Control Channel (PUCCH) transmission corresponding to the WindowIndicator IE.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein UE is configured witha HARQ-ACK window length, L, in symbols, via higher layer signalingcomprising Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, wherein the HARQ-ACKwindow length, L, is applied to: activated Component Carriers (CCs)corresponding to one or more second SPS PDSCH transmissions received,and wherein the UE is configured with one PUCCH group, the received DCIformat comprises a single bit PUCCH Group Indicator (g) whose valueequals ‘0’, generate HARQ-ACK information bits for the CCs in the onePUCCH group.